Guwahati: Assam said an emotional goodbye to its music legend Zubeen Garg on Tuesday as he was cremated with full state honours at Kamarkuchi, on the outskirts of Guwahati. Thousands of fans gathered under the hot sun to take part in his final journey, singing his beloved song “Mayabini” – a song the singer had personally requested to be played at his funeral.
The funeral procession started from the Arjun Bhogeswar Baruah Sports Complex and drew massive crowds along the route. People from across the state joined in, many holding flowers, banners, and photographs of the singer.
Top leaders, including Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Ministers Kiren Rijiju, Sarbananda Sonowal, and Pabitra Margherita, were present to pay their last respects to the 52-year-old artist.
Zubeen Garg passed away in Singapore on September 19 while swimming. His body was flown back to Guwahati, where a second post-mortem was conducted at Guwahati Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) following public demand. The report confirmed that there was no foul play in his death.
Chief Minister Sarma told reporters, “The autopsy was already done in Singapore in a fair manner. But, as people requested, we conducted a second post-mortem here with the consent of his wife, Garima Garg.”
In a touching moment, the singer’s family brought his four pet dogs — Iko, Diya, Rambo, and Maya — to bid him a final goodbye.
The Assam government declared a statewide holiday on Tuesday, keeping schools and colleges closed as a mark of respect. Candlelight vigils and prayer meets were held across towns and villages, proving once again that Zubeen Garg was more than a singer — he was the voice of a generation.